A moment of madness by Glenavon defender Gavin McDonnell led to Linfield's second goal and left the visiting fans wondering 'what if' as they watched their team come back from 2-0 down only to lose by the odd goal in five after a fine second half performance.

David Bracken came in for his first start of the season with Lewis Hamlin dropping to the bench as Colin Malone opted for a 4-5-1 formation. Alan Mannus was the first keeper called into action as he comfortably held a long range effort but Tuda Murphy was under a lot more pressure from his namesake William as he clawed away a ball dropping under his cross bar, with Okunayia heading the clearance behind for a corner. In the 11th minute Cowan was lucky not to concede a penalty when he appeared to pull back Mulgrew but the Linfield player stayed on his feet and referee Ken Ginnett waved play on.

Sammy Stewart in action against Linfield

The Champions took the lead in the 24th minute through Thompson when Gault held off a challenge and played him in on the edge of the box and he slotted the ball past Murphy. Glenavon almost found a quick reply with Mannus making a good save to deny Murray’s low shot from 18 yards. Seconds later McDonnell raced across and made a great tackle as Mulgrew ran into the box.

Eamon Murray was forced off in the 35th minute when he aggravated a hamstring injury with Sammy Stewart coming on to replace him.

McDonnell’s crazy back heel into his own penalty area gave the ball straight to Thompson. He laid it back to Ferguson and as the veteran striker attempted to flick the ball back across to Thompson it struck Cowan’s hand and, despite the fact the defender was barely a yard away, Ken Ginnett showed no hesitation in giving the penalty which Ferguson blasted high into the net for his 499th career league goal.

Cowan ironically pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time when he did well to swivel and slot Bracken’s headed ball low into the net.

In the opening minute of the second half Thompson looked certain to score as he turned in the box and it took a terrific block by Cowan to divert his shot over the bar.

As Ferguson looked for his 500th from a free kick the ball was cleared up to Bracken and he beat Murphy on the left wing and cut into the box. His low cross shot flashed past Mannus but also cleared the back post by a fraction as Walsh was inches away from getting a touch. Okunayia’s cross shot from the right was then hacked clear by Murphy for a corner from which Mr. Ginnett gave another penalty for handball, this time against the hosts when McDonnell flicked the ball against the hand of Murphy. Bracken confidently slotted the 61st minute spot kick past Mannus to draw Glenavon level.

That happy state of affairs did not last long though as Mulgrew restored Linfield’s lead when he scored from a narrow angle after he ran onto Ferguson’s chipped through ball with, for once, Tuda Murphy hesitating to come off his line.

Late substitute Lewis Hamlin’s cross seemed to cause confusion in the Linfield defence but Gawley’s weak shot didn’t trouble Mannus. Ferguson went close to that magic goal with a volley that flashed wide from O’Kane’s corner to the edge of the area. Paul Carville almost earned Glenavon a draw with a curling free kick but as it headed towards the top corner it just curled back into the welcoming arms of Mannus.